The Indianapolis journal., 1887-09-22
The seventy-Ninth,s Reunion.


The Seyenty-ninth Indiana Regiment which
was LED by Gen. Fred Knefer through many
hard fought battles, is ono Of the very few regi-
ments that has not for several years main tain ed
organization and held an annual reunion. On
several occasions effort has been made to or
ganize the survivors. but it always proved un-
successful until this year. Several months ago
G General Knefer and Capt Q. j. Many issued a
call for a reunion, and through the the assist
auce OF the members Of the regiment residing in
this city succeeded In obtaining almost com
plete roster of the surviving members 1t was
found that many Of them had moved to the far
West, while hundreds of others have become
scattered over the entire country, and il was
surprise to the orginators of the reunion. yes
terday afternoon, when $50 veterans responded
30 their names. Company K, which was formed
IN Hendricks county, had thirty-one members
present and reported that sixty out of the 100
men that composed the company were still alive
The special purpose of the meeting was to effect
permanent organization, and make arrange
Iuents for q grand rennon next year The or
eanZation effected by the election of the
following officers:
Presidsnt-Fred Knener Indianapols
Nice-president-J. O. Pedigo Indianapolis
Historian-J. N. ScoJt-Indianapolis.
Executive committee-W. b. Lewis. COMPANY A:
g. j. Thompson. Company B; Henry J. Brattain,
Assistant secretaries whose duty it viii be to keen
D correct company roster-Company A. r. s. Ktnrs-
lev; Company r. Phneas g. Jordan: Comnanv q
John q. Ednunds Company ID, Frederick Hartman:
Company f. William A. Cursor: COMPANY r W n
Blackwell; COMPANY &. Benz. F. Conner co,nn.Ix W.
I, d. w. Howe. and Company K. Geo. K. Simms.
IL was decided to hold the next reunion in this
citv on Nov. 20, 1888, which is the anniversary
OF the battle of Chattanooga, in which the regi-
ment took prominent part The committee
on arrangements instructed TO give all the
survivors of the regiment notification of the re-
and AM n1oQ fnr axefp par fheri aof
great interest. The regimenral colors ex-
hiolted. and on suggestion of several comrades
were properly cared for in the State building
ana not allowed to be loaned except per-
mission of the regiment
After the completion of the routine business
NAL John > Dunbar addressed the gathering
briefly. He said he had always wondered why
tue reg IN ent bad not had reunion. The war
history OF Indiana could not be written without
including the deeds of the Seyentv-nintb reoi-
menL The reunion was beneficial IN many
ways. ana he believed the veterans would liv.
longer and happier by coming together once n
year.
Capt Eli r. Ritter followed Mr.. Dunbar with
few remarks- lie remarked that in 1862
regiment OF l, 600 men, and looked upon them Ali |
rs beardiess youths. Looking upon the GRAY
haired men before him it hardly seemed possi- |
bic that they were those whom he saw start 70 |
The field at the beginning OF the war JUDGE ID |
w. Howe. who was captain of one OF the com |
paniss in the regiment. spoke briefly. Meeting
many " tno VOC aus ioI the Hrst time since
tbe close OF the war, he ssid, called up sll the |
recollectons VI twenty i've years. When thew
hrst came together as mere boys it WAS n gloomy |
time. 1t looked like the government could aot
buIvlve Now they came together in the midst
peace. and il was fitting that they should dlscuss
lhe stirring scenes through which they passed.
Proud as they should all be of Indiana, they
should be prouder that IL was only |
sne OF great union of states that
constituted the greatest government on the face |
d the earth Referring the organization /
ibey had just effected, he said one of its pur- /
poses should be TO lend helping hand to those |
bf their number who bad succumped TO tempta-
lion and perhaps fallen from where they once |
ptood. perhaps they shared their last bit of |
lood with u.s." said he. "and we should assist |
them in every way can"
Tnore wcre other snch addresses By Col s. r.
Dyler. Of Frankln Judge J. N Scott and GEN
sral Fred knefier. General knehsr was ex-
peeted to read paper he has prepared covering I
lome OF the important campaigns of the reei- /
nent but his manuscript was IN the city. He